§ 5. Sir CHARLES NICHOLSONasked whether Great Britain has ratified the Opium Convention of 1912; whether any further conference is to be held at, The Hague; and, if so, when such conference will be held and who will represent Great Britain?
§ Sir E. GREYGreat Britain has not yet ratified the Opium Convention of 1912. A 1321 further conference is shortly to be held at The Hague to consider the question of putting the Convention into effect, which is distinct from the question of ratification. His Majesty's Government have as yet no information as to the exact date on which the conference will assemble. They will be represented at the conference by Sir William Collins, who has again most kindly consented to represent us, and Mr. W. G. Max Müller.
§ 7. Mr. THEODORE TAYLORasked which foreign Powers, respectievly, have up to the present time signed, agreed to ratify, and actually ratified the International Opium Convention; and whether any and, if so, which Powers have refused to sign or to ratify the Convention?
§ Sir E. GREYWith regard to the first part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to Parliamentary Paper, Cd. 7276, Miscellaneous No. 2 (1914), which contains a list of those Powers which had signed or ratified the International Opium Convention up to the end of January; since then I have not been informed of the adherence of any Powers then outstanding. I am not aware that, since the meeting of the International Conference of last year, any Power has definitely refused either to sign or to ratify the Convention.
§ 8. Mr. T. C. TAYLORasked whether any, and if so, what, action is being taken to induce the Powers that have not yet adhered to the International Opium Convention to do so; and whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to proceed to ratify the Convention even should it fail to induce some of the Powers to adhere to it?
§ Sir E. GREYThe Powers that have not yet adhered to the International Opium Convention are being constantly pressed to do so, and it is confidently hoped that the difficulties which stand in the way of their adhering may shortly be overcome. It is very desirable that the ratification of other Powers should be secured as well as that of His Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. T. C. TAYLORWill the right hon. Gentleman kindly answer the latter part of the question, "whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to proceed to ratify the Convention even should it fail to induce some of the Powers to adhere to it"?
§ Sir E. GREYIf my hon. Friend presses me on the point, what we hope is to be able to induce other Powers to ratify, and if I give a definite undertaking that we will ratify whatever they do, I am afraid I shall very much diminish the possibility of joint action.
§ 9. Mr. T. C. TAYLORasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that while in most of the provinces of China the sale and smoking of opium are being severely penalised, its sale and use are protected and encouraged in Shanghai and in British and other foreign concessions in China; is this in conformity with the International Convention; and, if not, what steps His Majesty's Government is taking to repress the vice?
§ Sir E. GREYI have no official information regarding the present position of the opium traffic in the foreign concessions in China. The subject is dealt with in Articles 17 and 18 of the International Opium Convention, to which I would refer the hon. Member. It will receive the careful attention of His Majesty's Government in common with the other Articles of the Convention when the Convention comes into force.
§ Mr. T. C. TAYLORIs the Government actually taking any steps to put an end to this scandal?
§ Sir E. GREYI understand we have already taken sonic preliminary steps on our own behalf. It needs the consent of other Powers as well. I am in entire sympathy with the objects of my hon. Friend.